IRELAND. (a) These Things Shall Be, for baritone, chorus and orchestra. (b) Piano Concerto in E flat major. John Carol Case (baritone, a), Eric Parkin (piano, b), London Philharmonic Choir (a), London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Sir Adrian Boult. Lyrita 0 SRCS36 (12 in., 45s. 7d.).

These Things Shall Be has always seemed to me an example of English choralism that, because I knew and was fond of the composer, I wish could be quietly forgotten. For he was a much finer composer than this, as the Piano Concerto makes evident; as does, indeed, much else of his work. But for his only choral work (did he feel that he ought to compose something of an oratorio ?) he started by saddling himself with a poem (by John Addington Symonds) which, though its sentiments are admirable, is just plainly embarrassing. Elgar has been much criticised for setting O'Shaughnessy's poem The Music Makers, a criticism with which I cannot at all agree: but if you think that a bad bit of poetry, I can't imagine what you will think of Addington Symonds's verse.

Anyway, it has led Ireland into the most conventional kind of choral writing (though I haven't the least doubt that he felt it most sincerely, for he was the last person to write in any other sort of way). It's Parry but a bit more `modern'; and when we get into the big tune (Parry might have written it), oh, those dreadful key-shifts. If you don't agree with me, the LPO chorus is excellent, John Carol Case sings the solo very well and the whole work is very well recorded.

But if you want to discover Ireland at his best and to hear a concerto like no other I know, then turn the record over. The first movement isn't just an allegro first movement but is full of sheer imagination. There is real poetry in the slow movement, a very moving performance here, with both soloist and conductor in the fullest sympathy. The transition to the finale is really superb and the controlled rhythm of this last movement is first-rate. (Some first-rate solo violin playing, too—I imagine from the LPO's leader, Rodney Friend. It is high time that record companies should print the name of an orchestra's leader, especially when he has solo work.)

And why is Eric Parkin never heard of, except when something by Ireland is to be recorded ? It is true that he has always been associated with Ireland's music but after listening to this superb performance, which must now supersede Colin Horsley's mono only HQM reissue, I can't help wondering why we don't hear him in something else, for his playing is really marvellous and I cannot believe that he can only play like this in one composer's music. I know the trouble. If a record company put out, say, Chopin's Concerto No. 2 with Eric Parkin as soloist, their sales would be negligible, for he hasn't a big name. Perhaps Saga or MFP should start him off on a cheap label. On this showing they would get their rewards, for he gives a really marvellous periormance of the Ireland concerto.

T.H.